Hoisting mechanism



Aug. 28, 1934. R. c. oseooo HOISTING MECHANISM Filed June 23, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l lfillln I I 1 V 1934' R. c. oseoon 1,971,351

HOISTING MECHANISM Filed June 23, 1932- 2 Sheerls-Sheet 2 mwen /w -1- gBAZmaZ 6 049x904 A44 #Mm.

Patented Aug. 28, 1934 UNITED STATES HOISTIN G MECHANISM Robert C. Osgood, Claremont, N. R, assignor to Sullivan Machinery Company, a corporation of Massachusetts Application June 23, 1932, Serial No. 618,920

13 Claims.

This invention relates to hoisting mechanism, and more particularly has reference to improved drum drive control means for such a mechanism.

In certain underground mining operations it is desirable to handle trains of a number of mine cars by successively positioning the individual cars beneath a loading chute for filling, and to use, instead of a mine locomotive, a haulage apparatus, for the car spotting operations. The haulage mechanism proper is preferably located at a point at some distance from the loading chute, both to enable the handling of fairly long trains, and for better protection. The control can advantageously be effected, if the apparatus is so designed, by a flexible operating member led to a point convenient to the loading chute and tractable by the operator when the haulage mechanism is to be operated. Automatic devices are advantageously provided to stop the haulage mechanism when the flexible member is released by the operator. The remote position of the haulage mechanism involves the use of a relatively long haulage member, and slack is introduced between haulage operations and should be taken up smoothly to avoid jerking.

An object of this invention is to provide an improved haulage or hoisting mechanism. An-

other object is to provide an improvedhaulage or hoisting mechanism having improved drum drive control means. A further object is to provide, in a haulage or hoisting mechanism, improved drum drive control means associated with the hoist or haulage motor control means whereby when motive power is supplied to the hoisting or haulage motor the drum drive control means is operated to connect the drum to its drive. Yet another object is to provide improved motor oper ated means for effecting operation of the drum drive control means. A still further object is to provide, in a mechanism of the above character, improved control means for the hoisting motor and drum drive control means, whereby, when motive power is supplied to the motor and the motor comes up to speed, the hoisting drum is always automatically connected to its drive. Another object is to provide a haulage mechanism particularly adapted for the spotting operations mentioned above. These and other objects of the invention will, however, hereinafter more fully.

appear.

In the accompanying drawings there is shown,

for purposes of illustration, one form which the invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings- Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a hoisting mechanism having associated therewith the illustrative embodiment of the improved control means, a portion of the control means being shown in section to illustrate structural details.

Fig. 2 is a central longitudinally extending ver- 0 tical sectional view of the hoisting mechanism shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken substantially on line 33 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a detail sectional view taken on line 66 44 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view illustrating a portion of the power conducting passage arrangement for the drive control means operating means.

In this illustrative construction, the improved control means is associated with a hoisting mechanism of the same general construction as that described in a patent to one Morris P. Holmes, Patent No. 1,763,631, patented June 10, 1930, although it is evident that the improved control means may be associated with hoisting mechanisms of various other types. The hoisting mechanism disclosed herein comprises a. hoisting drum 1 supported by alined shafts 2 and 3 within upstanding end brackets 4, 4 carried by a base 5. Arranged within the hoisting drum is a motor 6, herein of the pressure fiuid operated type, comprising intermeshing spiral toothed rotors l, 7. This motor is provided with a usual inlet passage 8 to which motive fiuid is supplied through an axial passage 9 formed in the supporting shaft 2. The power shaft 10 of one of the rotors '7 has fixed thereto a spur pinion 11 meshing with a spur gear 12 fixed to a shaft 13 suitably journaled within the motor head 14 and an end plate 15 secured to the drum, the plate 15 being formed integral with the supporting shaft 3. Also fixed to the shaft 13 is a spur pinion 16 meshing with a spur gear 17 fixed to a shaft 18 suitably journaled within the end plate 15. Also fixed to the shaft 18 is a spur pinion 19 meshing with a drum driving gear 20, likewise journaled on the end plate 15, and meshing with an internal gear 21 formed integral with a rotatable reaction member 22. The member 22 is suitably journaled within the adjacent end standard 4 in coaxial relation with the shaft 3, and has formed on its outer periphery an annular braking surface 23 with which a brake band 24 cooperates. From the foregoing it will be evident that when the brake band 24 is applied, the reaction member 22 is held against rotation, and as a result, the drum 1 is driven from the motor 6 through the gearing above described, the terminal transmission gear 26 meshing with stationary internal gear 21 rolling around the latter as a trackway to eiiect drum drive. When the brake band is released, the member 22 is free to rotate, and as a result, the hoisting drum remains stationary during running of the motor.

Now referring to the improved control means for the hoist driving motor and the drum drive control means, it will be observed that secured to the end bracket 4 adjacent the motor 6 is a cover member 25 having formed therein a chamber 26 which communicates with the axial passage 9 through'a passage 27. Connected at 28 to the member 25 is a fluid supply conduit 29 having a usual strainer 30 and controlled by a usual throttle valve 31, and fluid under pressure is supplied through this conduit to the chamber 26 and thence through passages 27 and 9 to the inlet 8 of the motor. Also connected to the member 25 at 32 is a conduit 33 through which fluid flows from the chamber 26 to a chamber 34 formed in a casing 35, the fluid flowing from the chamber 34 through a strainer36 and a conduit 37 to an elbow connection 38; the latter in turn being connected through a tube 39 to a connection 40 threadedly connected at 41 to the lower end of the cylinder 42 of the drive control operating means. The connection 40 has formed therein a restricted passageway 43, the

' purpose of which will be later described.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the operating means for the drive control means comprises the cylinder 42 and a piston 44 reciprocably mounted therein. This cylinder is pivotally connected at 45 at its lower end to a bracket 46 attached to the base 5. The piston rod 47 of the piston 44 extends upwardly through a packed cylinder head 48, and is pivotally connected at 49 to a lever 50, the latter in turn being pivotally connected at 51 to one end of the brake band 24. The lever 50 is also connected, through a pivotal link connection 52, to the other end of the brake band.

Arranged within the cylinder, between the upper head and the piston 44 and surrounding the piston rod, is a relatively stiff coiled spring 53. It will thus be seen that when fluid under pressure is supplied to the lower end of the cylinder 42 to act on the lower end of the piston 44, the spring 53 is of suiflcient strength to initially resist movement of the piston, the piston moving slowly upwardly as pressure fluid leaking through the restricted passage 43 gradually builds up within the cylinder 42, thereby to overcome the tension of the spring. Upward movement of the piston efiects swinging of the lever 50 upwardly about its pivot 51 and,'through the link connection 52, draws the ends of the brake band together, thereby to apply the brake, and as a result, the hoisting drum is connected to its drive. When the pressure below the piston 44 is vented in a suitable manner, for instance, through the motor exhaust when the throttle valve is closed, the coiled spring 53 returns the piston to its lower inoperative position, thereby efiecting release of the brake band. When the throttle valve 31 is opened, pressure fluid flows through the conduit 29 to the inlet 8 of the motor 6, and due to the relatively long fluid conducting tube 39 and the restricted passageway 43 in the connection 40, there is suflicient delay so that the motor 6 substantially comes up to speed prior to the full connection of the drum to its driving means. During the interval, however, there is imparted to the drum a sufiicient torque to take up the slack in the haulage rope and prevent a sharp jerk being transmitted to the latter. This may be readily understood when it is appreciated that the air pressure relatively gradually overcomes the spring pressure andthus imparts a light drag to the gear 21 before the latter is firmly held. The restricted passage and relatively long fluid conducting tube also permit slow venting of the cylinder, and as a result the brake band is slowly released when the air cylinder is connected to exhaust, thereby preventing undue spinning of the drum which is found to occur when the brake band is suddenly released. Although the control means for the hoist motor and the drum drive control means are shown to be of the pressure fluid operated type, it will be evident that the motor 6 may, under certain conditions, be an electric motor, and the operating means for the drum driving control means may assume the form of a solenoid having suitable resistance devices, dash pot control, time delay relay controlled circuits, or means for energizing the solenoid only when the starting box lever reaches running position, so that the motor will substantially come up to speed prior to the effective energization of the solenoid due to the delay caused by such devices.

As a result of this invention, it will be noted that an improved hoisting mechanism is provided having improved control means whereby when the hoist driving motor is started and comes up to speed, the hoisting drum is automatically connected to its driving means, any slack in the haulage rope being smoothly taken up before the brake is fully applied. It will further be noted that an improved hoist control means is provided wherein a common control element is employed for effecting control of both the hoist driving motor and the control means for the drum driving means. By virtue of the features of construction described, if the air pressure be low, greater delay in application of the full load at the gear 21' is effected, the device automatically adapting its operation to varied air pressures.

While there is in this application specifically described one form which the invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration only, and that .the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a hoisting mechanism, a hoisting drum, a driving motor therefor and drum drive control means for connecting said drum in driving relation with said motor including a frictionally controlled reaction member and a brake band for controlling said member, motor control means, and means associated with said motor control means for eii'ecting operation of the brake band of said drum drive control means including means distinct from said driving motor and associated delay means whereby when the driving motor substantially comes up to speed the hoisting drum is automatically connected to its driving means.

2. In a hoisting mechanism, a hoisting drum, a driving motor therefor, drum drive control means for connecting said drum in driving relation with said motor including a frictionally controlled reaction member and a brake band for controlling said member, and control means for said motor and said drum drive control means including means distinct from said driving motor and associated delay means whereby when motive power is supplied to said motor and the motor substantially comes up to speed the brake band of said drum drive control means is automatically operated to hold said reaction member, thereby to effect connection of said hoisting drum to its driving means.

3. In a hoisting mechanism, a hoisting drum, a driving motor therefor, drum drive control means for connecting said drum in driving relation with said motor including a frictionally controlled reaction'member and a brake band for controlling said member, the latter having a pivoted operating lever, and power operated control means therefor including relatively reciprocable power actuating elements constituting a motor, one element of which is pivotally mounted, and connections between said other motor element and said brake band operating lever.

4. In a hoisting mechanism, a hoisting drum, a driving motor therefor, drum drive control means for connecting said drum in driving relation with said motor including a frictionally controlled reaction member and a brake band for controlling said member, the latter having a pivoted operating lever, and power operated control means therefor including relatively reciprocable power actuating motor elements, one of which is pivotally mounted, connections between said other element and said brake band operating lever, and a common control element for controlling the supply of actuating medium to said motor and to said control means to effect relative reciprocation of the actuating elements thereof.

5. In a hoisting mechanism, a hoisting drum, a driving motor therefor and drum drive control means for connecting said drum in driving relation with said motor including a frictionally controlled reaction member and a brake band controlling said member, motor control means, and means associated with said motor control means for effecting operation of the brake band of said drum drive control means to hold said reaction member whereby when the driving motor substantially comes up to speed the hoisting drum is automatically connected to its driving means, said last mentioned means including action delaying means distinct from said driving motor whereby said drum drive control means is automatically operated at a delayed time interval subsequent to the starting of said motor.

6. In a hoisting mechanism, a hoisting drum, a fluid actuated driving motor therefor, drum drive control means for connecting said drum in driving relation with said motor including a frictionally controlled reaction member and a brake band controlling said member, and means for controlling said motor and said drum drive control means to operate the brake band of the latter to hold said reaction member including a fluid supply connection and a throttle valve therein for controlling the supply of fluid to said motor, and a fluid connection connected to said supply connection and also controlled by said throttle valve for supplying fluid to the operating means for said drum drive control means, said latter fluid connection having delay means associated therewith whereby the drum driving motor substantially comes up to speed prior to the connection of said drum to its driving means.

'7. In a hoisting mechanism, a hoisting drum, a fluid actuated driving motor therefor, drum drive control means for comiecting said drum in driving relation with said motor including a frictionally controlled reaction member and a brake band controlling said member, and means for controlling said motor and said drum drive control means to operate the brakeband of the latter to hold said reaction member including a fluid supply connection and a throttle valve therein for controlling the supply of fluid to said motor, and a fluid connection connected to said supplyconnection and also controlled by said throttle valve for supplying fluid to the operating means for said drum drive control means, said latter connection including a restricted conduit whereby the drum driving motor substantially comes up to speed prior to the connection of said drum to its driving means.

8. In a haulage mechanism, a drum, a driving motor therefor, and drum drive control means for connecting said drum in driving relation with the motor including a frictionally controlled reaction member and a brake band controlling said member, motor control means, and means distinct from said driving motor and associated with said motor control means for effecting partial application of said brake band thereby to impart a light torque as the motor approaches full speed and thereafter fully applying said brake band to impose the full torque of the motor on the drum.

9. In a haulage mechanism, a drum, a driving motor therefor, and drum drive control means for connecting said drum in driving relation with the motor including a friction planetary drive device having a controlling brake band adapted to permit slippage when partially loaded and to eliminate slippage and effect the transmission of full motor torque when fully loaded, loading means for said friction device including a device distinct from said driving motor and actuated by motor drive medium, an opposing device requiring a predetermined value of the motor drive medium to be transmitted to the motor drive medium actuated device before slippage effecting loading can be effected and a higher value before full loading is effected, and means for controlling motor drive medium supply to said motor and motor drive medium actuated device concurrently establishing flow connections for both but including means for delaying the building up of said values at the motor device medium actuated device.

10. In a hoistingmechanism, a hoisting drum, a

fluid actuated driving motor therefor, drum drive control means for connecting said drum in driving relation with said motor including a brake band controlled frictional device and a second fluid actuated motor for actuating the brake band thereof, and means for controlling said drum driving motor and said drum drive control means including a fluid supply connection, a throttle valve therein for controlling the supply of fluid to said drum driving motor, and a fluid connection connected to said supply connection and also controlled by said throttle valve for supplying fluid to said second motor, said latter connection having action delaying means associated therewith to initially partially apply said brake band and thereafter to fully apply the brake band whereby the drum driving motor substantially comes up to speed prior to the connection of said drum to its driving means.

11. In a hoisting mechanism, a hoisting drum, a fluid actuated driving motor therefor, drum drive control means for connecting said drum in driving relation with said motor including a brake band controlled frictional device and a second fluid actuated motor for actuating the brake band thereof, and means for controlling said drum driving motor and said drum drive control means including a fluid suppIy connection, a

throttle valve therein for controlling the supply of fluid to said drum driving motor, and a fluid connection connected to said supply connection and also controlled by said throttle valve for supplying fluid to said second motor, said latter connection including a restricted conduit to initially partially apply said brake band and thereafter to fully apply the brake band whereby the drum driving motor substantially comes up to speed prior to the connection of said drum to its driving means.

12. In a hoisting mechanism, a hoisting drum, a driving motor therefor, drum drive control means for connecting said drum in driving relation with said motor including a frictional device having an operating lever, and power operated control means therefor comprising a fluid actuated motor including relatively reciprocable cylinder and piston elements, one of said elements being pivotally mounted, and connections between the other motor element and said operating lever of the control means.

13. In a hoisting mechanism, a hoisting drum, 3. driving motor therefor, drum drivecontrol means for connecting said drum in driving relation with said motor including a frictional device having an operating lever, and power operated control means therefor comprising a fluid actuated motor including relatively reciprocable cylinder and piston elements, one of said elements being pivotally mounted, connections between the other motor element and said operating lever of the control means, and a common control element for controlling the supply ofactuating medium to said drum driving motor and to said control motor to effect relative reciprocation of the cylinder and piston elements of the latter.

ROBERT C. OSGOOD. 

